Simplify your season
By subscribe to a CSA package for a continuous harvest of vegetable seedlings over the autumn and winter seasons
CSA closed for the season
Sign up to receive email updates about future CSA subscriptions
What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an alternative socioeconomic model that is based upon transparency and mutual support between growers and consumers.
This model allows consumers to directly support their local growers by purchasing a share of their seasonal production in the form of an advanced subscription. In return, subscribers will receive a continuous supply of fresh local seedlings and educational resources throughout the season, delivered directly from the grower.
When purchasing a seedling CSA subscription, the consumer and grower both share the potential risks and rewards of the season. The risks may be crop damage or failure, and the rewards likely to be a surplus of seedlings, which are then evenly distributed between the community of subscribers.
It is an investment that enables the grower to develop relationships with their customers and to successfully kick-start their season through economic support. It also benefits the consumer by connecting them to their local source of seedlings, promotes quality food production and consumption, and helps to build a stronger, localised food system.
Seedling CSA package
The Eastern Field offers three specialised CSA packages to the Bay of Plenty community. Each package is customized to various sized gardens and has been carefully designed to educate and guide people on how to maximise their growing area for an abundant and continuous harvest of vegetables throughout the autumn and winter.
Within every package, subscribers will receive:
A seasonal supply of heritage seedlings for three months
Various seed packets to directly sow into the garden
A generalised garden plan
A vegetable planting calendar
What is included each package?
Package 01
| SEEDLINGS | QUANTITIES |
|---|---|
| Beetroot | 12 |
| Broad Bean | 6 |
| Broccoli | 2 |
| Brussel Sprout | 2 |
| Cauliflower | 2 |
| Celery | 2 |
| Collards | 2 |
| Coriander | 6 |
| Dill | 6 |
| Kale | 2 |
| Leek | 10 |
| Lettuce | 12 |
| Onion | 20 |
| Parsley | 2 |
| Pea | 6 |
| Radish | 12 |
| Rocket | 6 |
| Silverbeet | 2 |
| Spinach | 4 |
| TOTALS | 116 |
The Container Gardener
Designed for a 6m² growing space
$120
| SEEDS | QUANTITIES |
|---|---|
| Carrot | 1 |
| TOTALS | 1 |
The Hobby Gardener
Designed for a 10m² growing space
Package 02
$180
| SEEDLINGS | QUANTITIES |
|---|---|
| Broad Bean | 8 |
| Broccoli | 3 |
| Brussels Sprout | 3 |
| Cabbage | 3 |
| Cauliflower | 3 |
| Celery | 3 |
| Collards | 3 |
| Coriander | 15 |
| Dill | 15 |
| Kale | 3 |
| Leek | 15 |
| Lettuce | 30 |
| Onion | 33 |
| Parsley | 2 |
| Pea | 10 |
| Rocket | 15 |
| Silverbeet | 3 |
| Spinach | 4 |
| TOTALS | 171 |
| SEEDS | QUANTITIES |
|---|---|
| Beetroot | 1 |
| Carrot | 1 |
| Radish | 1 |
| TOTALS | 3 |
The Seasoned Gardener
Designed for a 20m² growing space
$240
Package 03
| SEEDLINGS | QUANTITIES |
|---|---|
| Broad Bean | 16 |
| Broccoli | 8 |
| Brussels Sprout | 8 |
| Cabbage | 8 |
| Cauliflower | 8 |
| Celery | 6 |
| Collards | 4 |
| Kale | 6 |
| Leek | 32 |
| Lettuce | 75 |
| Parsley | 2 |
| Pea | 25 |
| Silverbeet | 6 |
| Spinach | 8 |
| TOTALS | 21 |
| SEEDS | QUANTITIES |
|---|---|
| Beetroot | 1 |
| Carrot | 1 |
| Coriander | 1 |
| Dill | 1 |
| Onion | 1 |
| Radish | 1 |
| Rocket | 1 |
| TOTALS | 7 |
Please note that the varieties, quantities, and timing may vary depending on the success of growth during the season.
Meet your grower
The Eastern Field was founded in August 2022 by Jemma, who, driven by her background in seed saving and passion for gardening, aimed to inspire the community to establish and improve their gardens.
Ever since, Jemma has been continuously promoting and advocating for food security and seed sovereignty by saving heritage seeds, cultivating high-quality seedlings, and providing education towards the art of home gardening.
Jemma is currently dedicated to providing gardening consultancy services to people located in the Bay of Plenty. Additionally, she offers a wide variety of heritage seedlings, which are distributed through Palmers and Brown Owl Organics in Rotorua, and are also sold at the Tauranga Farmer's Market.
FAQ
How does the Seedling CSA subscription work?
Each month, for three consecutive months, you will receive a box full of in-season seeds, seedlings, and educational resources to grow a flourishing edible garden.
Once subscribed, you will receive a confirmation email with further information, terms & conditions, and payment details. After your payment has been made, your share will be secured and you will be sent instructions so that you can prepare your growing space in time for your first share of seedlings.
You will be notified when your seedling shares are ready for collection, and a time will be arranged for either pickup or delivery.
What can I expect to receive in my package?
Each month, you will receive an assortment of heritage seeds and seedlings. These are distributed over three months so that they are planted in succession for an extended seasonal harvest. You will also be given a generalised garden plan that is customised to your chosen package size, and a 12 month vegetable planting calendar. You can use these resources as guides to know when to sow, plant, and harvest your crops, and where exactly to place them in your garden to maxmise your growing space.
When can I expect my shares of seedlings?
Rotorua and surrounding areas - The first share of seedlings will be available in late February, followed by the second share in late March, and then the final share late in April.
Tauranga and surrounding areas - The first share of seedlings will be available in late March, followed by the second share in late April, and then the final share late in May.
Each share is grown to reach maturity at the crop’s optimal plant-out time but may vary depending on the outside temperatures and their growth rate. You will be kept informed of their availability date via email communication.
How will I receive my seedlings?
Your seedling shares can be picked up directly from the nursery site in Pukehangi, Rotorua, or the Tauranga Farmers Market.
You may also opt for delivery right to your door. Deliveries within 20km of the nursery site in Pukehangi will be free of charge, and deliveries beyond 20km will incur an extra fee of 95c per kilometer.
What are the potential benefits?
Throughout the season, there will likely be a surplus of seedlings. These seedlings will be generously added to your shares when available.
What are the potential risks?
Throughout the season, there is the possibility of crop damage or failure due to pests, disease, and environmental factors. If there are any crop losses, alternate seedlings of the same value will be substituted to ensure that you will get the full worth of your share.
Am I guaranteed what is in the share?
The crops and quantities of each share are not 100% guaranteed due to the potential risks, however, the CSA subscribers will have first priority and are very likely to receive what is expected plus the bonus of additional seedlings.
Can I sign up if I live outside of the Rotorua, Tauranga, and surrounding regions?
No. At the moment, the seedling CSA packages are only available to residents of Rotorua, Tauranga, and surrounding regions .
Can I sign up for just one month?
No. Each package is specifically designed for succession planting over a three-month period.
If you are interested in an alternative selection of seedlings without the added benefits of a garden plan and educational resources, you can pre-order what you would like, and they will be grown specifically for you.
Pre-orders will open from January 2024.
Can I cancel my share during the season and get a refund?
No. Once you have invested in a seedlings share, your payment will then be used by the grower to produce the seedlings in your package and cannot be refunded.
Can I customise my share?
Yes. You may be able to swap some crops within your share depending on their value and availability.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Payments can be made in a lump sum for the season, or by monthly instalments before your delivery or pickup date.
What if I need extra help in my garden?
The Eastern field offers garden consultancy services designed to guide beginner gardeners & experienced growers to accomplish their vegetable gardening goals with the support of an experienced professional. The Eastern Field also offers one-on-one coaching for those who would like to practically learn the art of gardening in your backyard.
Where else can I purchase your seedlings?
Seedlings can be at purchased Brown Owl Organics Rotorua, Palmers Rotorua, or from the Tauranga Farmers Market.